Stu Brennan wrote:
> I have flat talbot style mirrors on the doors and they were totally
> useless, being too small, and impossible to adjust into a useful
> position. I got some cheap stick on curved mirrors that just fit on
> these, to give me a wide angle view. That green spec I can see in the
> center? A Kenworth right in my blind spot. They were way too curved.
>
> Stu
Stu,
I have experienced the same thing. Those blister pack stick-on after market
mirrors are way too curved to be useful for anything but observing your kid in
the back seat. Many of them a re plastic, to boot, and don't have the clarity or
brightness off a good silvered glass.
The original Talbot, and even the after market repros, have glass mirrors which
are much less curved. I can recognize the make of the car 5 car lengths behind
in
the other lane, and, at least it's presence 8 car lengths behind.
If your experience with these mirrors is limited to that type of fix, I wouldn't
wonder you are disappointed.
The Tiger represents a particular challenge in finding just the right place to
mount them. Originally, they were mounted on the top of the fenders, about 4 "
forward of the windscreen. This was OK on the driver's side, but half the
passenger side mirror was obscured by the parked windshield wiper. It didn't
clear up until the mirrors were almost set over the front wheels.
I tried putting them on the doors, American Style, and the "A" windows obscured
the view. Finally had someone hold the mirror against the door and move it,
while
I was in the driver's seat. The place I found, that works for me, is to avoid
the
"A" window interference by putting the mirror first at rear edge of the window,
and then sliding the body down the door 3 3/4 inches at the center of the Talbot
Jr. mounting base. This is more down the door than the typical American car,
but
those don't work on early models either.
With center mirror locking screw is loosened, and a friend rotates the mirror
for
the correct coverage. You will probably find the coverage is excellent, but you
can't get a piece of the car body in view. The rear of the round ball mirror
mount has a circular hole that the locking screw goes thru. When you've rotated
the mirror in (or out) 'till it stops, that bolt is hitting the inner hole. I
used a small file and notched it in one place to allow the center screw to go
beyond the circle. It really doesn't matter where, as long as you line up the
mirror rotation to allow the screw shank to enter the hole. I was able to move
the mirror head towards the body enough to see my door handles. These are
bright,
and visible, and give you a 'fix' on where you are, versus what else you see in
the mirror. Absolutely essential, and the main reason flat mirrors won't work.
Don't worry about "Objects may Appear....", as you quickly get used to it. My
rule - if I see ANYTHING, don't change lanes. Usually I can see well down the
lanes on either side, If I take the effort to actually look.
Hope this helps. At least it may help those who haven't already bought flat
ones.
BTW: You don't need that big base, as the short base has an internal body mount
that connects with sheet metal screws (I recommend stainless), and is hidden by
the chrome base. I am told, by experts, that the American repro is a better
quality material and chrome than the British repro. Of course nothing beats the
original, if you've got $300/pair to spend.
Steve
Steve
--
Steve Laifman < Find out what is most >
B9472289 < important in your life >
< and don't let it get away!>
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